Soccer: Wife's move makes City look better for Tevez

Carlos Tevez and his wife Vanesa, and children Florencia, left, and Katia. Photo / AP

After failing to secure a move away from Manchester City in the summer transfer window, Argentina striker Carlos Tevez has been rejoined in England by his wife and could settle down at the club if his family situation improves.

Tevez said in July he wanted to leave City for a country where he could be reunited with his wife Vanesa and two daughters, who went back to Argentina after struggling to adapt to Britain's climate and culture.

But no club was able to meet City's asking price for Tevez and his wage demands, so he is still at the Etihad Stadium and his adviser, Kia Joorabchian, said yesterday the player had persuaded Vanesa to return to Manchester.

"As Carlos said at the end of the season, professionally he is happy at the club. He is happy in the situation. It was more to do with his family, really," Joorabchian told British radio station talkSPORT.

"If she [Tevez's wife] manages to settle in hopefully in the next four or five months, maybe he will settle down and things will be fine.

"Culturally, Milan or Spain would be easier for the wife to adapt to. She could get around and communicate better."

Joorabchian said only "four or five" clubs in the world could afford to sign Tevez, who is widely reported to be City's top earner.

"You can get down to teams like Inter, who made a couple of offers, and maybe Real Madrid," he said.

Tevez was the Premier League's joint-top scorer last season as he helped City finish third and qualify for the Champions League for the first time.

He also captained the side in the FA Cup final when City won its first major title since 1976, but hasn't started this season, having been given extra time off after his exertions with Argentina in the Copa America.

He now faces a battle to get back in City's team after Bosnia striker Edin Dzeko scored six goals in his first three league matches.

- AP